The 50th anniversary in 2017 of the Beatles' ground-breaking album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band received a lot of deserving hype. It ranks as one of the most influential albums ever, and it shows the versatility of four of the best musicians of all time.
They followed that up with The Beatles – also known as the White Album – in 1968, so another 50th anniversary is worth celebrating.
There is another album dating back 50 years this year that has a song that defies all logic. The title song In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly broke the mold by taking up the entire side of an album as the first heavy-metal classic. Most of us who followed rock at that time can still bang out parts of the drum solo.
Over the years, the band has broken up and come back together several times.
Believe it or not, there is still an Iron Butterfly band out there with all new members. Ron Bushy is the only one of five original members who stayed with the band all these years although he does not perform due to health reasons.
The song title is supposedly what Garden of Eden sounds like under the influence of a lot of wine.
And what is an Iron Butterfly? A cocktail recipe.
Other great albums are also celebrating a silver anniversary this year: Steppenwolf; The Mamas and Papas; Waiting for the Sun by the Doors; Bookends by Simon and Garfunkel; Credence Clearwater Revival; and Shades of Deep Purple to name just a few.
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Ron MacArthur has lived and worked in Sussex County all his life. As a journalist for nearly 50 years, he has covered everything from county and town meetings to presidential visits. He also has a unique perspective having served as an elected official and lived on both sides of the county.
Contact Ron at ronm@capegazette.com
